Authorization for Alternative Educational Credentials: Evidence from Five States

While career and technical schools have offered short-term credential programs for more than a century, a proliferation of new digital badges, bootcamps, and other so-called micro-credentials have emerged in the past decade. A 2021 Credential Engine report identified approximately 550,000 short-term credentials offered by non-academic organizations. These new programs target adults seeking a streamlined path to in-demand jobs. How states envision their regulatory role in this authorization space remains largely understudied. Using a qualitative, multiple-case design, we provide an overview of how California, Georgia, Illinois, New York, and Washington regulate these entities. Our study combines analysis of key legislative and policy documents and semistructured interviews with 22 leaders from 14 distinct agencies/organizations, including representatives from authorization agencies, other public higher education system offices, and private organizations (e.g., boot camp providers, a digital badge platform provider).

Project Details